Sutta-Nipāta 13: Ratana Sutta

Sutta-Nipāta 13: Ratana Sutta – Jewels

Translated by Bhante Suddhāso
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Whatever beings are gathered here,
Whether on the earth or in the sky,
May all these beings be happy,
And may they carefully listen to this speech.

Pay attention, all you beings,
Have loving-kindness for humans,
Day and night they bring offerings,
Therefore guard them diligently.

Of all the treasures here and beyond,
Even the magnificent jewels in the heavens,
There is nothing equal to the Tathāgata –
This is the magnificent jewel called the Buddha.
By this truth may there be well-being.

Elimination, dispassion, deathlessness, excellence,
What Sakyamuni attained in samādhi,
There is nothing like that Dhamma –
This is the magnificent jewel called the Dhamma.
By this truth may there be well-being.

What the Supreme Buddha praised as pure,
Spoken of as the knowledge arising directly from samādhi,
No equal to that samādhi can be found –
This is the magnificent jewel called the Dhamma.
By this truth may there be well-being.

The eight kinds of praiseworthy beings,
Those who are in four pairs,
They are worthy of donations, the Blissful One’s disciples,
And gifts given to them produce great benefit.
This is the magnificent jewel called the Saṅgha,
By this truth may there be well-being.

Those whose minds are well-directed and steady,
Those who have set aside sensuality and followed Gotama’s instructions,
They have reached the Deathless and immersed themselves in it,
Freely enjoying the enlightenment they acquired.
This is the magnificent jewel called the Saṅgha,
By this truth may there be well-being.

Just as a pillar firmly planted in the ground
Cannot be shaken by the four winds,
I say it is the same for a good person
Who clearly sees the noble truths.
This is the magnificent jewel called the Saṅgha,
By this truth may there be well-being.

Those for whom the noble truths become clear,
As well-taught by the One of Deep Wisdom,
No matter how negligent they are,
They will not take on an eighth existence.
This is the magnificent jewel called the Saṅgha,
By this truth may there be well-being.

One who has attained vision will inevitably discard three things:
Belief in self-existence, skepticism, and habitual practices.
They are freed from the four kinds of downfall,
And it is impossible for them to do any of the six terrible things.
This is the magnificent jewel called the Saṅgha,
By this truth may there be well-being.

Even if they perform a harmful deed with body, speech, or mind,
It is impossible for them to conceal it.
This is said to be impossible for one who has attained right view.
This is the magnificent jewel called the Saṅgha,
By this truth may there be well-being.

Like a forest grove in full bloom during the first month of summer
Is the excellent Dhamma that he taught,
Which leads to enlightenment – the paramount benefit.
This is the magnificent jewel called the Buddha,
By this truth may there be well-being.

The Excellent One –
Who knows what is excellent, gives what is excellent, brings what is excellent –
Taught the unsurpassed excellent Dhamma.
This is the magnificent jewel called the Buddha,
By this truth may there be well-being.

They have eliminated the old and do not produce the new,
Minds free of lust for future existence,
They have eliminated the seeds and have no interest in their growth,
The steadfast ones extinguish them, just like a lamp.
This is the magnificent jewel called the Saṅgha,
By this truth may there be well-being.

Whatever beings are gathered here,
Whether on the earth or in the sky,
The Tathāgata is honored by devas and humans,
We bow to the Buddha – may there be well-being.

Whatever beings are gathered here,
Whether on the earth or in the sky,
The Tathāgata is honored by devas and humans,
We bow to the Dhamma – may there be well-being.

Whatever beings are gathered here,
Whether on the earth or in the sky,
The Tathāgata is honored by devas and humans,
We bow to the Saṅgha – may there be well-being.

 

Bhante Suddhāso